The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-25
The Church Question in Germany.

copyright. by the New York Associated Press. lss5
BERLIN, April 23-The debate in the Inter
haus the ecclesiastical bill to-day brought out
some of Prince Bsmarck's strongest peculiar
ities In defending the measure he had to at
tack the speeches of some members who are his
own supporters, like the National Liberals
Herren Eynern and Pfaff. the Ultra Conserva-
tive Baron Hammsrstein. and others Jealous in
the defense of the Protestant Church in
Prussia, who convinced that the Chan
cellor has gone too far in his concessions to
the Vatican, and has virtually taken that jour
ney to Canossa which he once declared be would
never make Among the most interesting cpl
sodes was Baron Hammerstens accusation that
the government was imperiling the Protestant
Church. In concluding his speech he said IF
the prophecy of Cardinal Manning that the fight
between the Catholic and Protestant churches
will be fought out on the sandy plains of Brand
enburg is destined to be fulfilled, and if, there.
fore, the Protestant Church is to succumb in the
fight. then the man who deemed an alliance with
the Pope as necessary must be held responsible"
The charge thus leveled directly at the Chan
cellor produced profound sensation. Prince
Bismarck started up to respond. He was much
agitated, and in voice quivering with excite
ment denied that the ascendency of the Protest
ant Church was endangered.
He ridiculed the idea that restoration of the
former rights of Catholics would damage the
Protestant establishment, and advised the Ma
tional Liberals and Conservatives to join him in
trying to attain the final cessation of the Kultur-
h6upI. Inc speech was elective IN Inc sense
that it showed that Prince Bismarck was deter
mined to carry the bill in the exact form in
which it was presented in the Unterhaus, and
would tolerate no opposition from his own sup
porters. The bill must pass, but this weeks
discussion has left angry feelings and much dis
content In the National Liberal and Conserva-
tive groups
The Kolnische Volks Zeltung, the organ of the
Ultramontanes, publishes the Latin text. with
German translation, of letter which the Pope
has sent to the Archbishop of Cologne regarding
the attitude of the Catholics toward the eccle-
siastical bill. In the concluding passage of the
letter the Pope SAYS: "Seeing that the Oberhaus
has passed the bill with the amendments of the
Bishop of Fulda. representing the remedies for
many evils and opening the door to that peace SO
long desired, we therefore, consider that the
Catholics should not refuse their assent. "
The same paper publishes manifesto signed by
ISL German Catholic Journalists proposing to
erect church in Hanover to commemorate Herr
Windthorst's birthday. Tine Catholic press con-
ours in declaring that, although the Center party
accepts the ecclesiastical BILL this does not alter
its independence or its attitude toward Prince
Bismarck, and that Herr Windthorst will retain
the leadership.
DR.. Stumpf. Bishop of Strasburg, succeeds DIR.
Herzog Bishop of Bresau. The selection of
Dr. Stumpf is direct result of the entente cor
dale between the Vatican and Prussia